Rosario and Wilbekin

[lhnewman]

these two players have made massive strives in their respective games...Rosario is so much better under control..and has one of the sweetest jumps shots ( especially when he squares up )...and Scottie has learned how to run the team better and his grit and determination ( not to mention his defense ) and ability to penetrate is awesome...who's most improved? its a tie me thinks...

[outbackjack]

No doubt, though Wilbekin has really always played like this, he just didn't get the minutes behind Erv. His driving powerfully was there lastvyear, his defense, he had the highest 3pt % on the team.....he just did it in small bits because of playing time.

rosario's has been huge. Changed his entire mindset.

Also, the jump for Eric from sophomore(never played) to junior, and on to senior, is as big as anyone.

Goes to show you can't write off anyone after a year or two.

Even Ryan Appleby, who looked like he'd NEVER make it, wound up being a very good player out West.

[gatordavisl]

I've read the comment that Wilbekin has always played like this a couple times and do not see that. His handle, distribution, and drive-to-the-hoop skills have improved tremendously. His defense was always superb, but I would contend that he has improved defensively as well.

[GatorPlanet]

I've read the comment that Wilbekin has always played like this a couple times and do not see that. His handle, distribution, and drive-to-the-hoop skills have improved tremendously. His defense was always superb, but I would contend that he has improved defensively as well.

You are correct, sir!

Wilbekin's offensive skills were way below this last year. WAAAYYYY below.

[InstiGATOR1]

You are correct, sir!

Wilbekin's offensive skills were way below this last year. WAAAYYYY below.

Actually Wilbekin's offensive numbers this year are slightly down from last year. His offensive rating (points per pos times 100) is 116.8 down from 121.7 as a Soph.

Still it is impressive when anyone can double their minutes and lose so little offensively.

BTW, for as sweet as Rosario's shot looks, he was only 2 for 6 from the arc yesterday. He is a much better midrange shooter.

[xenythx]

The most pleasantly surprising thing to me this year is Rosario's defense. He couldn't guard anyone last year and this year he's really locked in on his man. Watch him move his feet on defense.

[gatordavisl]

Actually Wilbekin's offensive numbers this year are slightly down from last year. His offensive rating (points per pos times 100) is 116.8 down from 121.7 as a Soph.

Still it is impressive when anyone can double their minutes and lose so little offensively. I'm guessing the difference from 1.17 points per possession to 1.22 is not statistically significant, esp when controlling for the difference in total minutes played. Wilbekin was also left open quite a bit his first two years, because he was not one of our primary offensive threats.

[ovillegator]

No doubt, though Wilbekin has really always played like this, he just didn't get the minutes behind Erv. His driving powerfully was there lastvyear, his defense, he had the highest 3pt % on the team.....he just did it in small bits because of playing time.

rosario's has been huge. Changed his entire mindset.

Also, the jump for Eric from sophomore(never played) to junior, and on to senior, is as big as anyone.

Goes to show you can't write off anyone after a year or two.



Seems to me, when you have multiple players improve that much, it's also a very big credit to the COACHING.

Billy and his staff deserve kudos as well!

[GatorRade]

Actually Wilbekin's offensive numbers this year are slightly down from last year. His offensive rating (points per pos times 100) is 116.8 down from 121.7 as a Soph.

Still it is impressive when anyone can double their minutes and lose so little offensively.

I think this is almost all from the dip in his 3 point shooting. He seemed to be much better as a shooting guard.

[regurgigator]

I've read the comment that Wilbekin has always played like this a couple times and do not see that. His handle, distribution, and drive-to-the-hoop skills have improved tremendously. His defense was always superb, but I would contend that he has improved defensively as well.

I agree.

Offensively, he's improved a lot since the beginning of this season.

The improvement in his decision making when driving into the paint has been remarkable, and his use of dribbling into the paint and then backing out, followed by sometimes dribbling back into the paint has been a dynamic addition since the beginning of the season.

And, as mentioned quite a bit on this site, he made a great improvement in avoiding double-teams (and back-court throw-away passes) since the Arizona game.

[rserina]

I am with those who think Wilbekin always had a little of this in him, but he has also made some notable improvements. His aggressiveness of ball screens and in the lane is much improved. He showed a good mid range jumper and floater at times. Now, he is making those plays on a regular basis and forcing defenses to account for him. Part of that comes from experience, I agree. Part of it though is reading the defense better on screens. He used to look for the lob or difficult pass in the paint. Now he is looking for his shot and making the pass if help comes.

[GatorPlanet]

Actually Wilbekin's offensive numbers this year are slightly down from last year. His offensive rating (points per pos times 100) is 116.8 down from 121.7 as a Soph.

Still it is impressive when anyone can double their minutes and lose so little offensively.

BTW, for as sweet as Rosario's shot looks, he was only 2 for 6 from the arc yesterday. He is a much better midrange shooter.

You're reading too much into statistics. It's a lot different being the starter with teams game-planning against you than it is to come in off the bench and put up a couple of shots and then go out again.

[gatorbogey]

some marvelous coaching going on. improvements have been tremendous.

[gatorbogey]

The most pleasantly surprising thing to me this year is Rosario's defense. He couldn't guard anyone last year and this year he's really locked in on his man. Watch him move his feet on defense.

good point!

[themistocles]

Has anyone on the team's play not improved substantially from last year?

[tommyuf21]

I agree.

Offensively, he's improved a lot since the beginning of this season.

The improvement in his decision making when driving into the paint has been remarkable, and his use of dribbling into the paint and then backing out, followed by sometimes dribbling back into the paint has been a dynamic addition since the beginning of the season.

And, as mentioned quite a bit on this site, he made a great improvement in avoiding double-teams (and back-court throw-away passes) since the Arizona game.

Agree here 100%. I was hopeful that he would make progress this season and just not get us in trouble and carry his weight with the great defense he had shown in the past and his ability to knock down open shots.

He now can create his own shot and take advantage of defensive breakdowns and finish.

His defense has improved tremendously. He was always really good (played hard and smart), but he has absolutely schooled some talented opponents. He's one of the (if not the) best on ball defenders in the college game, which is amazing considering his relative youth and lack of starts.

[InstiGATOR1]

You're reading too much into statistics. It's a lot different being the starter with teams game-planning against you than it is to come in off the bench and put up a couple of shots and then go out again.

Well as I said, it is impressive to maintain numbers with more playing time and thus more possessions use. So I am not surprised by a slight fall off with more than double the minutes for Wilbekin. Still the facts are the facts.

You are right he probably gets more attention from opposing coaches now too. Though probably he is behind Young, Murphy, Rosario and Boynton in game planning.

[madgator]

Seems to me, when you have multiple players improve that much, it's also a very big credit to the COACHING.

Billy and his staff deserve kudos as well!




Billy and his staff have been one of, if not the best, developers of talent in the college ranks for the past decade.



and the good news is that his in-game decisions and strategies have been improving as well.


I MIGHT BE considering giving erving walker some credit in that specific regard....

[wci347]

There is no question that both have matured and accepted their roles on the team. Their wisdom and IQ have taken a lot of pressure off of Boynton. In addition, their outside threat as well as their willingness to drive to the basket have created opportunities for Murphy.

[wci347]

I understand that in the tournaments stamina and the ability to close out games with your best players is essential. So I can understand why Billy keeps starters in the game long after the game is decided. However, there is also the tendency to have players not take possessions as seriously on offense or defense.

[TampaGatorFan]

Don't forget Prather...he's really come along nicely this year.